Yuta and Rikka, who had departed, were now on the train, heading home.
The Christmas train was unexpectedly quiet... perhaps because those with partners were busy on dates, and those without were staying cozily at home.
Rikka leaned on Yuta's shoulder, eyes closed, seemingly fast asleep, but in reality, her heart was pounding like a drum.
No way~~ Still no way~~ Finding an opportunity or something, I can't do it~~
It's easier to pretend to be asleep.
Yuta tilted his head, looking at the slowly receding scenery outside the window, and checked the time on his phone.
There's still time.
Glancing at Rikka, who was pretending to be asleep on him, Yuta wanted to give her a surprise.
"Hey, Rikka."
Rikka was secretly raising her eyes to look at Yuta when she was suddenly called by him. Thinking she had been exposed, she hastily closed her eyes again, feigning sleep.
But soon after, when she opened her eyes again, she saw Yuta looking at her with a smiling face.
She couldn't bluff her way out of this.
Their eyes met, and Yuta's eyes were filled with doting affection. Amidst Rikka's slightly embarrassed gaze, he pulled two paper tickets from his pocket and placed them in front of her.
They were indeed tickets for a luxurious Christmas yacht.
Yuta had accepted Fang Wuwei's tickets, but he didn't intend to take them for free... After all, they were expensive, and he planned to pay Fang Wuwei back once he received his New Year's money.
There was nothing he could do; when he tried to buy tickets himself, they were already sold out. It was indeed as Wuwei said, quite popular.
But at the present, Rikka was the most important. He wanted to spend a perfect Christmas with Rikka.
"Christmas is coming, I bought this."
Rikka recognized what it was... Don't forget she had also bought the Christmas special edition. She had long set her sights on that yacht, but was unable to afford the tickets and couldn't bring herself to ask her mother. She had thought it would remain a regret, but unexpectedly, Yuta had given her a huge surprise.
"Do you want to go? If you're not feeling well, then forget it."
"Mm!"
Rikka's face was full of emotion and excitement.
"Then we'll have to get off early, from this station..."
............
The luxurious Christmas yacht truly lived up to the word "luxurious." Although it was only on the river they always passed by, it was brightly lit. The ship had five decks, adorned with bright yellow lights, looking full of romance.
Most of the tourists inside were adults. The five decks had everything imaginable: restaurants, entertainment rooms, social halls, and even ballrooms, all appearing incredibly lavish.
Children like Yuta and Rikka were only there to broaden their horizons and, incidentally, have a perfect date.
The inner court of the ship could not satisfy Rikka's heart. She and Yuta went to the top deck at the bow, looking at the stars in the sky. Rikka was exceptionally excited, with a constant smile on her face.
Yuta followed behind, dotingly agreeing to every word Rikka said. He wasn't very interested in this yacht; truthfully, he felt it wasn't as impressive as Fang Wuwei's car... But, Rikka's happiness was the best thing for him.
Not far from them, Nibutani and the others had also boarded the ship. Everyone except Fang Wuwei was there, watching Yuta and Rikka being affectionate.
Although all the tickets for this yacht were sold out tonight, they could still board, and even received VIP treatment. The reason was simple: this ship belonged to Totsuka.
This made Isshiki Makoto and Nibutani feel it was unreal, but considering how wealthy her family was, they could only grudgingly accept it.
Looking at the two being affectionate not far away, Isshiki Makoto felt a pang of bitterness, Nibutani felt a sense of relief, Koushou smiled and offered blessings, Totsuka was so annoyed her teeth itched... And Ikenouchi Maki was full of excitement, not for Yuta and Rikka, but because she had just seen her master and another girl on the other side of the ship...
Her gossip soul was burning, but she didn't dare to go, fearing she'd get beaten. She could only patiently stay beside Nibutani and the others, knowing her master would eventually come over anyway.
Yuta and Rikka leaned against the railing, looking at the lights on the distant shore and the beautiful water below illuminated by the ship's lights. The atmosphere was a bit subtle.
Young couples are like this, especially those who intend to take their relationship further.
"Rikka..."
"Hmm?"
"I've thought carefully about our relationship."
Hearing Yuta's somewhat hesitant voice, Rikka suddenly remembered that today was Christmas... an important holiday for lovers. Her face flushed slightly, and she immediately snapped out of her chuunibyou state, blushing and avoiding Yuta's gaze.
Yuta also dared not look at Rikka. He stared at the water below, talking to himself, knowing Rikka could hear him.
"How should I put it... Although in the end, it's still not that clear, I think we don't have to force ourselves too much.
Whether it's chuunibyou, or... that between us, I think, just let it be natural."
This was Yuta's view on love. He believed that love wasn't about rushing to succeed, but about the depth of emotion. Naturally being together, loving each other, they would naturally move step by step towards the end, no need to rush.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that their progress was so slow, but this concept was perfectly suited for the shy Rikka.
Yuta had always been such a person, gentle and kind.
She looked up at Yuta, and Yuta happened to turn his head back. Their eyes met, and in the depths of each other's gaze, they saw the love hidden within.
A delicate smile finally appeared on Rikka's face.
With a ship's horn, both felt a wave of shyness.
"It's... too cold outside, let's go back."
"...Mm..."
Though he said that, Yuta's hand was not entirely honest, reaching towards Rikka's lowered hand.
Rikka felt it too. Although Yuta said that, he still hoped to take a step further with her. Nibutani and Fang had also said that Yuta was a blockhead and that she needed to be more proactive...
In that case!
Rikka, blushing, boldly reached out and took his hand directly, her entire hand slipping into Yuta's large hand, her fingers then passing through his, gripping tightly, unwilling to let go.
Their fingers were intertwined. This was the boldest move Rikka had ever made.
Yuta was surprised. Given Rikka's personality, he expected at most a pinky finger hold, but he didn't expect Rikka to be so bold today. Turning his head, he saw Rikka's head beet-red, looking down at her feet, staring intently.
The soft, small hand in his palm was a little damp, a little cold, and still fidgeting, as if trying to slip out of his grasp.
Yuta understood that Rikka was very nervous. He wouldn't fall behind either, so he clasped his fingers back, holding Rikka's hand tightly, protecting it firmly.
Feeling the warmth enveloping her small hand, Rikka looked up. The two, with blushing faces, looked at each other and smiled.
It's progress, isn't it? One step at a time.